“Inside Out & Back Again” Literature Unit

“Inside Out & Back Again,” by Thanhha Lai is an emotional novel beautifully written in verse. It tells the story of Hà, a ten-year-old girl who flees Vietnam with her family and settles in Alabama during the Vietnam War era. The book is sectioned off in four sections detailing Hà's life: her memories in Vietnam, the heartbreaking decision to leave her home, the challenges of adapting to life in America, and ultimately, her journey towards healing. The novel is written in Hà's perspective and explores identity, resilience, loss, and hope. It brilliantly portrays the difficulties of cultural integration, language barriers, and the prejudice Hà faces in her new community. The struggle Hà's goes through is the very thing that builds her character. She remains strong and authentic, giving readers a glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit. Materials included: “Inside Out & Back Again,” includes 27 pages of follow up work, a book(s), a work journal, color pencils, and pencil s